Our Story – The Evolution of the KEEGO Sports Bottle
The story of KEEGO begins in the Alps. With an idea.
The story of KEEGO begins in the Alps. With an idea.
Or rather: with a problem.
Our founder Lukas Angst, himself a passionate hockey player, asked himself during a hike on the Hochkönig in June 2016:
Why do we drink from bottles during sports that either taste bad or are unsuitable for drinking quickly while on the move? Squeezable plastic bottles are practical, but Taste and contain problematic substances such as microplastics and plasticizers. Metal bottles are tasteless, but heavy and unwieldy. And so the idea for KEEGO was born. Lukas quit his job that same year and embarked on a journey marked by curiosity, tenacity, and innovation.
The search for the right technology
Between October and December 2016, the small team spent countless hours at trade fairs and in laboratories, investigating materials and technologies: from elastic glass to pump systems, origami structures, hydroforming and resilient steel.
No solution held up. The approaches were too brittle, too heavy, too expensive or technically impossible to implement.
The breakthrough
It was not until May 2017 that the breakthrough came: a discovery was made at the Montanuniversität Leoben in Austria. Together with a professor, the idea was born to make titanium elastic using coating technology.
Proof of concept
A Danish laboratory confirmed in August 2017 that the material could be implemented in the form of a bottle. Now KEEGO took shape - technologically and in terms of design.
Why titanium?
Titanium proved to be ideal for replacing plastic as a contact material for beverages. KEEGO is light and squeezable like a plastic bottle, but has a pure titanium interior that protects the water from plastic, bad Taste migrating substances. In addition, titanium is much easier to clean. Thanks to titanium, KEEGO is much more durable.
The decision to use this rare and expensive metal also sparked discussions:
Titanium is a trigger word. I was aware that the commitment to using the expensive metal would raise eyebrows for some people.
But there was and is no better alternative. Therefore, the team continuously worked to keep the titanium layer as thin as possible - for maximum performance and lifespan, which results in minimal environmental impact due to its durability and recyclability.
A rocky road...
Lukas had experience in business development, but material and product development were completely new territory. Together with experts, he spent months developing a system of layered materials and prototypes.
Production technology
It was difficult to find a manufacturer willing to experiment with a new type of titanium bottle. KEEGO finally found an owner-managed company with expertise in particle accelerator technology. But even here, the customization of the system was anything but easy. The planned production date in April 2018 was delayed by many months.
Time & money
Instead of after two years as planned, it took almost three to deliver the first bottles.
The team size was reduced, new funds were raised imaginatively and grants helped to survive. Lukas describes the phase as "extremely challenging financially".
Quality
The first bottles produced were not good enough. They broke when they fell to the ground. The material composition was revised and the production partner changed. From 2019, the product improved noticeably and visibly.
Crowdfunding & Community
In March 2018, KEEGO launched a Kickstarter campaign on Kickstarter and Indiegogo to show that the world needs a better bottle: The world needs a better bottle.
What will the crowd think? Are we developing something that people will like?
The confirmation
The target was reached on the very first day. In the end, 277,573 euros were raised from 3,535 supporters. The market said: YES!
An early bird discount and clever online marketing brought the campaign to the top lists. It all happened very quickly.
The money was used to finalize production and manufacture the first batch. Although shipping and production were delayed, the first KEEGOs went to the crowd in June 2019.
The feedback was overwhelming.
We Keep Going - From startup to movement
KEEGO has developed steadily between 2019 and 2025 - with highs, some setbacks and new innovations:
The first samples
With considerable delay, a new production partner is found in Switzerland. And the first samples are perfect. The tide is turning!
Production start & delivery
The official start of production of the world's first squeezable titanium bottle. The adventure becomes a reality. Despite unanswered questions and stumbling blocks, KEEGO begins to implement the vision in series production.
Delivery to the crowdfunding supporters begins. It has been a long wait for many - a milestone for the team: KEEGO is a reality.
The second generation
The second generation is presented. Improvements in weight, handling and squeezability - complemented by the new color "Celestial Mint".
ISPO - Award 2020
KEEGO receives the first Design Innovation Award. The vision of the new clean sports bottle is now officially recognized as a design achievement.
Another award follows shortly afterwards at ISPO - an accolade in the sporting goods world. KEEGO establishes itself as a benchmark.
Community survey
The results of the first major community survey are in: enthusiasm, motivation, lots of ideas. The feedback flows directly into product development.
The next generation
Production launch of the next generation of KEEGOs. KEEGO launches optimized colors, improved durability and stronger materials. Proof of resilience. A big thank you to our manufacturers for starting production despite Covid and temporary lockdowns!
Red Bull Rampage
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Olympic Games in Tokyo
KEEGO makes its first appearance on the world's biggest stage - at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
By taking part in the Olympics, Luka Wraber from Lower Austria fulfilled his major career goal - and KEEGO was there too.
Eurobike award
Eurobike award: The titanium bottle is recognized as a pioneering solution in cycling.
The lions' den
Appearance on "Die Höhle der Löwen". Hundreds of thousands of people learn about KEEGO. The team receives a lot of encouragement, new partners and is able to significantly expand its reach.
TWIST x KEEGO 600
Cooperation with Fidlock: TheTWISTx KEEGO 600 combinestwo award-winning systems - the flexible titanium bottle and the magnetic bottle cage. The result: a bombproof hold, no more bottle cage needed, no scratching of bottles, a clean look. This innovation is particularly popular with cyclists and outdoor sports enthusiasts.
Even the best trust KEEGO
KEEGO in the hands of one of the world's best - what a ride!
KEEGO 500
We are launching the 500ml version of KEEGO - perfect for children, smaller bike frames and quick after-work rides.
In addition, the new color "Gravel Green" will be released just in time for autumn
KEEGO in Dubai
KEEGO is listed at the legendary Wolfi's Bike Shop in Dubai - the best bike store in the world according to the Global Cycling Network.
Vienna City Marathon
Even Austria's largest sporting event - the Vienna City Marathon - relies on the evolution of the sports bottle.
Annual survey 2023
The big annual survey confirms our positive impression—KEEGO receives top marks and is highly recommended.
The survey shows that KEEGO users use their bottles on average five times longer than traditional plastic bottles. The design, durability, and Taste .
Iron Berry
No year without a new color! We are launching the KEEGO Iron Berry.
The deep, berry color is not only a real eye-catcher, but also the perfect companion for all autumn adventures.
Whether running through colorful foliage, cycling or in everyday life - it suits this time of year like no other.
Cooperation with Sponser
Another great cooperation - with the market leader for sports drinks in Switzerland, Sponser
, which equips its Olympic athletes with KEEGO.
The worst case
KEEGO turns five years old. A big celebration was planned - but instead the worst-case scenario occurs: a fire destroys large parts of the production plant. Production comes to a standstill for six months. Turnover is lost for six months and there are no goods to sell.
But the team remains true to its motto: KEEP GOING! Our name is made up of these 2 words! Positive, solution-oriented, focused.
Support Collection
Launch of the Support Collection: organic cotton shirts, socks and KEEGO bottles in a set. The net proceeds go entirely towards reconstruction. The community supports the project and manages to get KEEGO up and running again!
KEEGO at the MAK
KEEGO is accepted into the MAK - Museum of Applied Arts Vienna . As a trend-setting product for the future, design and sustainability.
The comeback
We can produce again! The new production plant is up and running - stronger, faster, more efficient.
The Special Edition Midnight Blue marks the new start - and shows: We are ready for the future! A shade reminiscent of the depths of the night sky - infinite, mysterious and full of possibilities.
Race Across America
Philipp Kaider has done it: the 39-year-old from Wolkersdorf in Lower Austria is the winner of the 43rd Race Across America (RAAM) - probably the toughest cycling race in the world.
4,932 kilometers. Eight days. 22 hours and 32 minutes. And not a single thought about the taste of plastic.
Our vision: the new standard
KEEGO is more than just a bottle. It is a statement: - For performance without compromise. - For Taste harmful substances. - For a sport that demands the best – even when it comes to drinking.
"KEEGO was born from the vision of innovatively combining the best functionality of a bottle with the best drinking experience."
The aim is for our technology to become the Gore-Tex of the bottle world - a quality standard that others can adopt. In a few years' time, we want to see KEEGO even more involved in the Olympics and world championships. Partnerships with clubs, new and optimized products, even better recycling processes - all this is in the works.
And the most important thing: our community is growing. Every day.
People who believe in our idea. Just like us.
WE KEEP GOING!